Three North County continuation schools named exemplary in state ranking

Two schools in Vista and one in Escondido are among 24 continuation high schools in the state recognized as exemplary Tuesday.

“Continuation high schools serve as an alternative highway for struggling students to complete their high school education and continue on the road to higher learning or out into the workforce,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said in a press release announcing the schools in the Model Continuation High School Recognition Program.

Schools recognized in the program, a partnership between the California Department of Education and the California Continuation Education Association, include Alta Vista High School and Major General Raymond Murray High School in the Vista Unified School District and Valley High School in the Escondido Union High School District.

Review teams visited 25 schools out of 27 that applied for the recognition. The teams interviewed staff members, teachers, students and others in making their decision.

Selected schools retain their title for three years and may fly a Model Continuation High School flag on campus.

More than 67,000 students attend the state’s 479 continuation high schools, which offer students 16 and older an alternative high school diploma program. Most students who attend continuation schools are behind in high school credits, but some attend because they have jobs or other circumstances that require a flexible school schedule.